Mumbai Central is a major railway station on the Western lines, situated in Mumbai, in an area known by the same name.[1] Designed by British architect Claude Batley, it serves as a major stop for both local and inter-city/express trains with separate platforms for them . It is also a terminal for several long distance trains including the Mumbai Rajdhani Express. Trains depart from the station connecting various destinations mostly across states in the northern, eastern and north-eastern parts of India.

An Inside View of Mumbai Central Station

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The Bombay Baroda Central India Rail organization has extended its reach from Baroda to Pathankot via Delhi. The Colaba-Ballard Pier Railway Station proved insufficient in meeting the demands of a growing population which led the government to make plans for the construction of Bombay Central. The present suburban route that once ran till Colaba was earlier served by Bellasis Road station.It was renamed Bombay central (local) after the construction of the long distance Bombay central terminus(BCT) on the eastern side.[2]

The station is divided into two parts. The eastern half of the station serves long distance trains operated by Western Railways while the western half serves commuter trains running on the Churchgate-Virar suburban section of Western Railways. The mainline section has five high level platforms terminating in a large concourse on the southern end. The suburban section has four high level platforms. All the platforms are connected by foot overbridges and the mainline platforms are wheelchair accessible from the south end.

A large Passenger Reservation Center with several ticket windows is located on the east side of the mainline station. Tickets between any two stations in India on any train offering reserved accommodation can be purchased from this facility. There are many Unreserved Ticket Counters in the main concourse for purchasing unreserved tickets for immediate travel on express and passenger trains starting from Mumbai Central. The west and south exits of the suburban section of the station have ticket windows for purchasing tickets for travel on the suburban trains. Suburban train tickets can also be purchased from Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs) located at several locations in the station premises.

The concourse on the mainline side has a McDonalds outlet that is non functional at present and an outlet of Rajdhani chain of restaurants (not to be confused with the train, Rajdhani Express ) serving authentic Indian food.

Bellasis Rail Café at Mumbai Central is located on the first floor near Bellasis Road overbridge connecting Mumbai Central station near the south end booking office. Items in this café are available in food packets, with ready to take away facility.

There are several stalls in the concourse and on the suburban platforms serving snacks, chips, bottled water and cold drinks (soda). There are book stalls in the main concourse and on the suburban platforms selling newspapers, magazines and other reading material. Train timetables are also available at the book stalls. Restrooms (toilets) are available in the concourse on the mainline side.